IT firms lead mega project at UK Ministry of Defence

The UK Ministry of Defence has selected a consortium of IT firms, operating under the name of ATLAS, to transform the Defence Information Infrastructure. As part of the four year deal, the consortium will convert the hundreds of old IT systems into one single network based on HP technology, which will allow users access to information when and where they want.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a ministerial department tasked with the protection of the security, independence and interests of the UK at home and abroad. The MOD, which is supported by 30 agencies and public bodies, aims at ensuring that the UK armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, within the given budget.

With the goal to modernise its information infrastructure by replacing hundreds of old and out-dated computer systems with a single modern Defence Information Infrastructure (DII), the MOD hired the ATLAS Consortium. Under the four year deal, the consortium – consisting of CGI, Fujitsu and Airbus, led by HP – will deliver cloud-based workplace and mobility services for 200,000 IT users, allowing them to have access to information and documents anywhere and anytime. “By September 2016, our users will experience information capabilities that are tailored to their mission, location and role, and that can be accessed at the right time, through a choice of devices, over a cost-effective, modern and adaptable infrastructure,” explains Mike Stone, Chief Digital and Information Officer of the MoD.

DII programme
As part of the DII programme, ATLAS will provide the necessary hardware and software, as well as the supporting infrastructure, which includes a network of data centres, individual site designs and migration from legacy systems. “Forward thinking organisations like the MoD understand that the workplace is everywhere. The solution HP and its partners developed for the UK MoD will increase workplace productivity by enabling high-quality connectivity for users, in any place, on any device,” says Howard Hughes, Senior Vice President Enterprise Services EMEA at HP.

ATLAS will provide MOD with enterprise-wide information capabilities based on a combination of HP Enterprise Services for Microsoft Office 365 and HP Helion Managed Private Cloud. The new workplace infrastructure based on HP technology will allow users to subscribe, amend or remove services via a persona-based catalogue. In addition to standardised workplace management systems, smart self-help and secure mobility services, HP Unified Communications Services based on Microsoft Skype for Business will allow for video-conferencing, immediate online meetings and instant messaging available on all MoD devices.